Zero tolerance for discrimination against Muslims

At the beginning of the year I mentioned the police misconduct with Brother (Nurdeen) Lawal. Throughout this semester it was a difficult process where the ASUA was contacted, and President Likins was notified about the misconduct by the UAPD. Many people took a negative stance against the Muslim Students Association, saying that it just wanted to be offended. We live in a time when racism is not a major issue like it was in the 1960s.

I just wanted to say, although this issue is a Muslim issue, it is also an issue for the entire community as well. We cannot tolerate racism or hatred on this campus.

I ask the UAPD to have some form of diversity training that the RAs in Residence Life go through.

As the year is winding down and most of you are probably concerned about finals, there is a man somewhere being stopped because he is a black man driving a nice car by the Foothills, a Mexican student being questioned about if he is an illegal - even though he is a third-generation American, a Muslim student for praying in the UMC Chapel, a Jewish student joked about in the dorm, and on and on. While you all study, someone is being oppressed. We can all say, "So what."

This "so what" is what has led to indirect and hidden racism. As this year ends, think about little things that affect our community. I just want to end with a quote said in 622 AD by prophet Mohammed - Peace be upon him - in his sermon, "No white man is greater than a black man, and no black man is greater than a white man...No Arab is greater than a non-Arab, and no non-Arab is greater than an Arab."

This is a thousand years plus a few decades before the civil rights were passed in this country.

Just makes me think at times. Thanks to all for the support of the Muslim Student Association. At the same time, these issues will not just disappear ... it is your duty, as a student, to act. This issue is something where common students, The Arizona Daily Wildcat, and the ASUA have common ground. If we the students divide up, then who will defend us?

Ahmad Saad Nasim
German studies and molecular and cellular biology junior
President, Muslim Students Association